where can i find a free macaw¿????¿¿

[sergio45]

Hello everyone I need tips on how I can find a free macaw.I got very disappointed when I saw an ad in adtob.com and said ("I'm a breeder and I'm giving out a breed pair for free. Feel free to call")....but when I called it was an unexisting number or maybe wrong number because they would never answere. I hope you can tell me where I could find a free macaw or talking bird for free I'm located in chicago illinois.

 

[Remy]

Why do you want one for free? Macaws (and all parrots) require a lot of time, energy, and money. The spending doesn't stop when it gets home either. Bet bills ($200-400 for an avian vet checkup), big cage, toys, etc. It's a lot like having a 2 year old child, except that they don't grow up, and lives 30-100 years, depending on species.

I just want you to know what you're getting into when getting a parrot.

On that note, mine landed on somebody's shoulder in a park!

 

[Nocturnal]

Based off the fact that you are merely looking for any macaw or "talking bird" for free I think you seriously need to reconsider getting a parrot.

first off, very rarely will you ever find any sort of good pet macaw that is free unless you know someone who owns the bird and they simply cannot care for them anymore and give them to you rather then selling. Even macaws in poor condition are easily sold for upwards of $1000.


Second off-- macaws are VERY big, VERY messy, VERY loud birds and if they are aggressive they can be VERY dangerous bite-power wise. A free bird is likely an bird with issues. It is likely not pet quality-- a biter.


Getting a bird because you want something big and colorful and powerful to show off to your friends, and dazzle them with it's talking ability is not a reason to get a bird. I work at a bird store that CONSTANTLY is taking in rescues and rehomes of birds that people bought not really knowing what they were getting themselves into in the first place. Many of these birds are extremely depressed after being dumped off on their families and rehoming is a very traumatic event for a bird. You should not take the ownership of any bird lightly--- but especially where the larger and more complex species are involved as they are highly intelligent and have delicate psychologies and can stress out easily.


Birds cost a LOT of money --- especially a big bird. With a big macaw you will need a big cage, which at minimum costs about $600 for something decent sized. Then there is specialty diets, nuts, beans, fruits, veggies, toys--- Toys-- did you know on average a good toy costs between $20-50? Unless you have the time to make suitable toys yourself, that's another cost associated with owning these parrots. These things are NOT an option if you are to have a happy, healthy, mentally well bird. And a macaw gotten for free will likely have other issues that will cost you even more money than a healthy happy macaw that you paid some money for.


Please, please, please, please do your research before jumping into something like this. I have seen so many brokenhearted and/or abused/neglected macaws come through my work that I just cannot stress this enough

 

[Featheredsamurai]

Your post makes me seriously wonder if you are really ready for a parrot or not. I suggest you find a rescue to volunteer at to learn more about parrots.

 

[weco]

Sergio, most of the ads like that are scams.....they want you to send money to them for shipping a paperwork and when you send them the money, it is gone and you never get the bird or birds.....

NEVER...NEVER, pay money for any bird unless you see the bird in person and you know that the person selling the bird can be trusted...paying a deposit for a young bird that has not weaned yet is OK, but paying a full price without seeing the bird will lose your money.....

The things the others have said, are true also.....sorry, but at least you asked before you lost any money.....you should stick around, look at the old posted messages, search for answers to questions you might have and if you cannot find the answer yourself, ask the question, normally several people will offer you answers...sometimes different, sometimes the same.....

Good luck.....

 

[BillsBirds]

There are no free birds. Everyone thinks they can recoup the money they've paid already for their bird. I have received birds for no cost, but, all of them were problem birds. Usually screamers or biters. And usually, it went like this....First call..."I hear you take in birds. I have a Macaw that is a bit noisy. I'll sell him and his cage for $1,000.00." I explain that I don't buy birds, but, will take it. And give it the care and attention it needs. "No, you're crazy! I'm not giving away my bird!" A week later, second call..."Look, I'll sell you the bird and cage for $800.00." Again, I explain the costs and work involved. (And, I can hear bird screaming in background.) "No, I can't give him away." A couple of weeks later, another call. "Okay, now, I'll sell you the bird for $500.00, and give you the cage for free. He's bitten my wife, and he must go." (More screaming in background, and we are getting to the truth) Again, my story about retraining him, and biting rehab added. "No, I just can't give him to you." A few more weeks, and..."Alright! Come take the damned bird! All he does is scream, and he's bitten us all. I can't take him any longer!" So, I go, get the bird, and my work and expense begins. Some of them turned out to be great birds. But, took a lot of work, time and money. And, some were so traumatized that they never were easy pets again. And some are still living in a friend's sanctuary. Not tame or friendly, but well cared for. So, you see, unless you are VERY lucky, or very well versed in Avian behavior, free birds are not free.

 

[BirdBrains2233]

Since everyone above me is spot on with their posts ill keep mine simple.
Macaw Cage: $650.00 - $4000.00 Dollars
Monthly Food Bill $200.00 - $400.00 Dollars
Monthly Toy Bill $50.00 - $150.00 Dollars
Avian Vet Bills $65.00 - $1000.00 Dollars (sometime's more if surgerys are needed)
Companion pet for life.... Priceless

Education, Time, Money, More Time, Bills, More Time, and More Money..... This is what you can expect for up to the next 60 years. If you do not intend to spend most of your free time at home then DO NOT bother. You will only be very unhappy with a very unhappy bird.

 

[MikeyTN]

Since everyone above me is spot on with their posts ill keep mine simple.
Macaw Cage: $650.00 - $4000.00 Dollars
Monthly Food Bill $200.00 - $400.00 Dollars
Monthly Toy Bill $50.00 - $150.00 Dollars
Avian Vet Bills $65.00 - $1000.00 Dollars (sometime's more if surgerys are needed)
Companion pet for life.... Priceless

Education, Time, Money, More Time, Bills, More Time, and More Money..... This is what you can expect for up to the next 60 years. If you do not intend to spend most of your free time at home then DO NOT bother. You will only be very unhappy with a very unhappy bird.

If you spent $200-400 monthly on food on a single macaw I don't know what your feeding....lol....

There are people who actually give away their macaws, BUT usually there's a catch! Major health problem, not tamed, none stop screamer, etc. It's not a bad thing to take them in as long as you have the budget for vet costs and the understanding of macaws. But there are some that give them up just because they want them to have a good home but they usually want the person with EXPERIENCE! The bigger macaws can be dangerous IF your not careful. So think clearly and understand birds first before you proceed!!!! By the way they're NOT good apartment birds or neighbors that's close proximity such as condos....

 

[Nocturnal]

Um... I have to disagree with $400 monthly food cost--- is this bird eating truffles?

I would say if you spend $40/month you are spending extravagantly on food.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

Um... I have to disagree with $400 monthly food cost--- is this bird eating truffles?

I would say if you spend $40/month you are spending extravagantly on food.

$40 a month is very little, that's only $10 a week for fresh and prepared food if you don't have to buy pellets that month. This is what I spend, Kenji gets new pellets every two months, and Rosie's last twice as long. I keep the pellets in the fridge and always smell for freshness. Nutri-berries also last a a couple months since I buy either a 3 pound tub or multiple bags. I also make 3 months worth of chop mix and freeze it. Occasionally everything runs out at once, and it gets a little pricey.

$80 for fresh veggies($20 a week)
$40 for chop mix ingredients
$60 for Harrison's course and harrison's fine pellets
$25 on 2 types of pre-mixed dried foods I cook and freeze
$15 Bountiful harvest from my safe bird store
$23 on nutri-berries
$18-$27 on nutri-an cakes

That's $270, and I'm trying to save money. I can easily see someone spending $400 if they don't care how much they spend.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Here's an "almost" free Macaw.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ8fTRamkCg]Origami Macaw Parrot - Arara de Origami - YouTube[/ame][ame="http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-food-recipes-diet/22594-cook-portion-freeze-my-recipe.html"][/ame]

 

[Jtbirds]

Everyone has posted exactly what I think and bills hit the nail on the head as well, that's how it goes for me in rescue, but you have to know what you are doing and have done your research and gotten acquainted the species you are interested in and you are choosing a very experienced species IMO it is not just fun and games with these guys they can mean business and you need to understand all of that or you will be one of the millions that get a macaw and then have to give it away..

 

[Nocturnal]

Cooperarabian -- wow O.O I guess I am just ultra conservative with how I spend. My birds still eat really well, but --- it probably helps that I purchase pellets in bulk. They get a mix of harrisons and roudybush, dried fruits and veggies, some nuts in their regular dry mix and then I cook mixes for them and they'll get whatever we're having for diner (if it is ok for birds).

 

[Bigbill]

I have a dyh,gw,&u2 and even the smaller amazon is very demanding if you are new
to birds a macaw with problems is not the way to go.If you cant read a macaws warnings.
you are going to be bit not maybe.